Clara Barbara Epperly, 77, of Henrico, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 10, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born in Oak Hill, WV, on December 9, 1948, the daughter of Archie and Leah Nugen of Oak Hill.
Clara graduated from Collins High School in Oak Hill, WV in 1966. She began working while still in high school at Western Auto selling auto parts and later worked in the furniture business with New River Supply and Heilig-Meyers. When she and her husband, John, had the opportunity to relocate to Virginia, Clara continued working for Heilig-Meyers in their corporate office until 2011 when the company closed its offices due to bankruptcy; she was one of the last four employees there. She then worked at The Room Store until 2015, and after a short retirement, was employed at Mount Vernon Baptist Church as an administrative assistant.
Clara always had a love and talent for singing and joined the adult choir at Oak Hill Baptist Church at the age of 14 where she also sang solos and duets with her son Gordon, and she sang with the Beckley Community Chorus. After moving to Virginia, she became an active member of the Mount Vernon Baptist Church choir for over 35 years, she was also very active in the Primetimers Choir and several praise groups, including Celebration, which performed in numerous nursing homes. She also sang for several years with the Richmond Symphony Chorus.
Clara was a gifted artist and belonged to the Bon Air Art Association and regularly exhibited her paintings. She especially enjoyed painting the designs used for her Christmas cards.
Clara is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Epperly; her son, Gordon Gregory (Janelle); three grandchildren, Alayna Heisey (Brandon) of Lititz, PA, Brayden Gregory (Mikaela) of Richland, PA, and Coltyn Gregory of Manheim, PA; and one great-grandchild, Waylon, of Richland, PA. and her brother, Archie E Nugen, JR (Stephanie) and their family of Edenton, NC.
As we honor her memory, we celebrate a wife, mother, and sister who loved her Lord, walked humbly, loved deeply, and served faithfully. Clara's presence will be missed, but her spirit rooted in her love for the Lord and her devotion to her family and friends will continue to shine through the lives she touched.
Visitation will be on September 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., followed by the Celebration of Life service, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 11220 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059. A reception will follow at the church. Interment will take place at the church's cemetery mausoleum prior to visitation.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church choirs.
